something if it is only for the sake of appearances. The question
really is, what shall be done first?"

"I am in favor of taking a drink as the first step, and considering
the matter of further action afterwards," suggested Shakespeare, and
it was this suggestion that made the members unanimous upon the
necessity for immediate action, for when the assembled spirits called
for their various favorite beverages it was found that there were
none to be had, it being Sunday, and all the establishments wherein
liquid refreshments were licensed to be sold being closed--for at the
time of writing the local government of Hades was in the hands of the
reform party.

"What!" cried Socrates. "Nothing but Styx water and vitriol,
Sundays? Then the House-boat must be recovered whether Xanthippe
comes with it or not. Sir Walter, I am for immediate action, after
all. This ruffian should be captured at once and made an example
of."

"Excuse me, Socrates," put in Lindley Murray, "but, ah--pray speak in
Greek hereafter, will you, please? When you attempt English you have
a beastly way of working up to climatic prepositions which are
offensive to the ear of a purist."

"This is no time to discuss style, Murray," interposed Sir Walter.
"Socrates may speak and spell like Chaucer if he pleases; he may even
part his infinitives in the middle, for all I care. We have affairs
of greater moment in hand."

"We must ransack the earth," cried Socrates, "until we find that